29 December 2025
BSO Breaking News:
Julie Erskine, former Chair of the Business Services Organisation (BSO) is recognised in the 2026 Kings New Years Honours list with an MBE
• As Chairperson of Business Services Organisation for services to health and social care and to the community in Northern Ireland
• Mrs Julie Erskine has over 40 years’ experience in the health care sector and has held a number of senior positions in the private, public and voluntary sector.
• Her background in Health and Social Care within Northern Ireland ranges from business management through to service and service delivery. She held the position of Operations Director and Support Services Director within a Belfast-based private healthcare company.
• Although a relatively private person, she is respected by colleagues and passionate about delivering enhanced healthcare on the island of Ireland. Since retirement, Julie has taken up several Board / Trustee roles and has brought a range of exemplary skills and experience to these roles.
• While a Board member of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council she was a passionate advocate for service users. Other roles have included membership of the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee and also a member of the Audit Committee for the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, making a significant contribution to each organisation.
• She has also been a board member of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and Panel Member for Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA). Julie was previously a Board Member with the Public Health Agency (PHA) from 2009 – 2016 and was acting Chair of the PHA from 2014 – 2015.
• Julie has been an exemplary member of each organisation demonstrating an enthusiastic and tenacious approach to every challenge faced. She was appointed Chair of the HSC Business Services Organisation by the then Health Minister, Michelle O’Neill, in December 2016 and has remained in this post to date, standing down in November 2025.
• Julie mentors new Chairs to Health organisations and is a mentor for female leaders in the public sector, as part of the Women in Leadership Programme.
• While with BSO, Julie oversaw the effective and continued delivery of BSO services during the Covid 19 pandemic. Her wise and diligent approach helped safeguard many key services at a very difficult time. In particular, BSO was responsible for the procurement and delivery of PPE and for providing enhanced digital services to allow HSC staff to work from home.
• Following a strategic review of BSO, she has overseen the re-structure of the organisation via a large transformation programme, aimed at ensuring the BSO can continue to deliver services to HSC organisations across Northern Ireland.
• Julie has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the improvement in terms of service delivery in every organisation of which she has been a Board member.
Commenting on her MBE, Julie Erskine said :
“It is a great honour to be recognised for my contribution to Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. I must say, I have been very fortunate to work with some excellent organisations and people throughout the years, and I take great pride in the positive difference I have always aspired for. I would like to thank all my former colleagues, including those more recently in the Business Services Organisation, for which it was an honour and privilege to Chair. I must take this opportunity to thank my devoted husband and my family, for their support, dedication, and enthusiasm throughout my career. This recognition is for you as much as it is me.”